Indra Jatra

Every night, gods and goddesses enter
the human bodies of dancers to tremble enjoy and wrath among the crowds.

Indra Jatra

Even as Indra Jatra honors Indra, king of heaven, it combines a number of festivals in an eight-day pageantry for one of Kathmandu's most colorful celebrations.

The center if the action is Durbar Square. It begins with the erection of the Yosin Pole, and families in which somebody has died making a ritual circuit (Upaku) of the old city. Meanwhile, masks and statues of Bhairab and Indra are revealed to the public.

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Every night, gods and goddesses enter the human bodies of dancers to tremble enjoy and wrath among the crowds. Kumari Jatra sees the human representations of Kumari, Ganesh and Bhairav being taken on chariot rites through various neighborhoods (Kwahiti). On the first day, bereaved families follow the chariots placing butter lamps along the way. Late at night, a masked man standing for Dagin (Indra's mother) rushes along the festival route.

The procession is joined by people carrying the Baumata, a row of flaming oil wicks placed on a serpentine plank made of reeds. Late in the afternoon, the Yosin Pole is brought crashing to the ground signaling that the fun is over.

Festivals of Nepal